Can you see the rainbow?

by Deathsia

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Discord, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Romance, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie
Length: 19480

Pinkie Pie plays a prank on Rainbow Dash which goes horribly, horribly WRONG.

Pinkie Pie plays a prank on Rainbow Dash which goes horribly, horribly WRONG. Now she has resorted to making a deal with the devil himself more or less to save her life....DISCORD!

A SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THIS STORY:

It occurs within the fanfiction universe from The return of Nightmare Moon, A filly's tale and the secret to mah success but is not in any way directly connected to it. there will be references but i do not plan on making this a confirmed continuation of the series! this event simply occurs within the universe i have created.^^

Published 2012-03-26 13:14:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-03-26 13:14:01 UTC

The prank gone wrong

CAN YOU SEE THE RAINBOW?

CHAPTER 1:

THE PRANK GONE WRONG...

PRESENT DAY:

Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie sat in front of an closedcasket in front of them all wearing dresses Rarity herself had made for them for this occasion. It was at this point a well dressed stallion walked up and stood in front of every pony who was attending the funeral.

“We are gathered her today to honor a long time friend and a hard worker to our fair town, Rainbow Dash.” Lovesworth said in a calm tone and paused before continuing.

“In her younger years Rainbow Dash was a very energetic filly and among us the most loyal to her friends. We all can remember the day she created the first ever sonic rainbow. A feat only told in legend yet even as a filly she had achieved this feat. Her actions that day affected us all in one way or another and some of us more than others.” Lovesworth said pausing again and looking at the five ponies who at in the front of the rest.

“Rainbow Dash was the top weather pony in Ponyville. There was not a day that went by that she kept our skies clear, unless she scheduled a thunderstorm, then we all wanted to tie her up and throw in the nearest cellar.” Lovesworth said with a smile earning a few light laughs and chuckles from his audience.

“In life, Rainbow Dash was a pony who not only was the most loyal to us all but represented one of the elements of harmony, The element of Loyalty and rightfully so because she has on more than one occasion demonstrated her loyalty to not only us but Princess Celestia herself.” Lovesworth said taking a slight bow to the Princess who was also in the audience before continuing. “She was willing to risk everything just for us. This kind of selfless act does not go unnoticed.” Lovesworth said and paused once again before continuing.

“Rainbow Dash also had a dream. She wished to become a wonderbolt.” Lovesworth said and motioned for Soarin and Spitfire to step up next to him.

“Today that dream becomes reality. Though Rainbow Dash may be gone, she will honored as a wonderbolt from this day forward. To be wonderbolt means not only to be a skilled performer but also a pony with unwavering loyalty to our dear Princess. Rainbow Dash showed both these traits and we have created a outfit for her that will be displayed in our showcase from this day forward. In honor of her outstanding loyalty we have requested that a second uniform be made and she be buried in it. This request was generously granted.” Soarin said and opened the casket up revealing Rainbow Dash eyes closed with a peaceful smile on her face in a wonderbolts uniform.

Spitfire and Soarin then went to sit back down at which point Spitfire silently sobbed into Soarin's shoulder as Lovesworth walked back in front of every pony before continuing his speech.

“Rainbow Dash also had a love of her life as well as a beautiful daughter that she adopted.” Lovesworth said at which point Scootaloo and Applejack stepped in front of the audience.

“Ah can't really say much more than this here stallion said already, but if ah could say anythin, it would be that she was a wonderful mare who put mah life before her's on more than one occasion. She was selfless and kind.” Applejack said before she began to break into tears in front of every pony. “Ah'm a might sorry bout this. Excuse meh.” Applejack said her voice cracking as she spoke quickly going to sit back down leaving Scootaloo alone.

“Rainbow Dash was a wonderful mother, and even when things looked bleak, even when I myself was willing to...” Scootaloo began to say only to trail off choking back tears. “Even when I was willing to take her life myself when Discord converted me,she never stopped loving me, she never hurt me, she never gave up on me.” Scootaloo said her voice cracking even more now as she spoke with tears now flooding from her eyes. “She never blamed me, she never hated me, she was the most loving mare a filly like myself could have ever been blessed with having for a mother. I am honored and happy to have had her as my mother...” Scootaloo said trailing off before swiftly going to sit back down herself sobbing loudly into Applejack's arms who cried herself as she hugged the orange filly sobbing silently herself.

Lovesworth then stepped back in front of the audience. “Today to lay a mare to rest who was the most loyal and kindest of us all. Thank you all for coming.” Lovesworth said in a soft tone and soft music began to play as they began to lower the casket into the ground.

“Wonderbolts present!” Soarin shouted in the best strait voice he could muster at which point a force of three wonderbolts flew above them and just above the crowd split off in separate directions creating a loud bang. Three more groups of wonderbolts did the same thing a few moments after the last until after the sixth group no more flew through the skies.

ONE WEEK AGO:

Pinkie Pie woke up early today. She had planned this prank on her best friend for many months and she knew it would be one that would go down in the history books as her best prank ever. She knew that her and Rainbow Dash would laugh about this for days to come. But it wasn't time for it just yet. “This prank is going to be so super fun! I can't wait!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she went down the stairs and out her front door to do what she did best...be Pinkie Pie.

“Uh-uh...sure...okay.” Twilight replied nonchalantly to Pinkie Pie's rambling as she read a book as she normally did in the park.

“And then she's going to be covered in grease! Then come the chicken feathers! It's going to be so funny!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed giggling insanely after this statement.

This however caught the purple unicorn's attention.” Wait...grease? Isn't that a little extreme?” Twilight remarked in a concerned tone.

“Nopey-dopey! You saw the prank she pulled on me last week! It took me a week to get the dye out of my mane! But it's all in good fun!” Pinkie Pie replied with a smirk.

Twilight recalled this and couldn't help but giggle. Poor Pinkie Pie had her mane and tail dyed in the color of Rainbow Dash's mane and tail which Pinkie Pie had immediately freaked out over at first. The dye however had an a side effect that not even Rainbow Dash had predicted. It had caused her mane to loose it puffy appearance so poor Pinkie Pie's mane and tail couldn't hold it's puffy appearance for more than five seconds which lead to Pinkie Pie constantly having to blow her mane to out of her face which annoyed the pink mare to no end. It was a prank she had yet to live down as she was often joked on as “Rainbow Dash the second” by her friends.

“I don't know, you made a pretty good Rainbow Dash.” Twilight remarked with a giggle earning a slightly annoyed look from the pink mare.

“See! This is why I have to get her back! She got me good! And I’m going to get back...Pinkie Pie style!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a confident smile.

“Just be careful. We don't want any accidents.” Twilight cautioned.

“Duh!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a wide grin and ran off.

SIX DAYS AND TWELVE HOURS AGO:

This was it, it was nearly time. Now all she had to do was get her victim into place. Pinkie Pie had already made arrangements for Rainbow Dash to meet her here. The location was just on the outskirts of Ponyville near an abandoned cloud factory and a cliff with a great ocean view that couples would often come to to watch sunsets.

The setup was perfect, nothing could go wrong. Pinkie Pie wondered if she was going to die from all the anticipation she she was feeling right now. She couldn't wait to see her friend's face when it was all over.

“Hey Pinkie Pie! Sorry I’m a little late! So what did you need my help with?” Rainbow Dash said as she flew toward the pink mare and landed not far from her.

“Oh, it's right over here! See I was trying to make a super awesome cake with some of the stuff in here but nothing would work! But then I thought about you! You being super knowing about clouds and all and I thought that you could help me get this working!” Pinkie Pie said in a very fast tone.

“Oh, well let me see what I can do.” Rainbow Dash replied as she walked next to the pink mare towards the factory doors.

“It's right over there!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a smirk as the cyan blue Pegasus took not of this and walked over to the small device and looked at it.

“Ha! No wonder you need my help! This thing isn't even working! Here let me see if I can fix it.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smile and flew up to see if she could fix any of the pluming.

“Oh, no,no! I don't need you to do that Dashie!” Pinkie Pie replied in a semi-panicked tone. She hadn't expected this. She expected Rainbow Dash to flip the switch and her prank be triggered.

“Don't worry about it! I never would leave a friend hanging! There we go! Now it's fixed I think.” Rainbow Dash replied and landed on the ground. “Now lets start this baby up!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed and flipped the switch.

The next thing to happen much to the cyan blue Pegasus's surprise was being suddenly flung on her rump, the next was being coated in grease and finally a bag of chicken feathers slowly drifted down and covered the Pegasus so now she looked like a a chicken more or less. Rainbow Dash stood on all fours hooves moments later and gawked at her friend who was laughing insanely now. “What in the name of Equestria?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a upset tone.

“hahaha! I got ya! That's payback for dying my mane last week and all the other pranks!” Pinkie Pie replied between laughs.

It was at this point a grin spread over the cyan blue Pegasus's face and began to laugh herself.” Haha! Good one Pinkie Pie! You sure got me good.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smile. “Oh she's gonna get it...” Rainbow Dash thought to herself mischievously. She knew this stunt was going to render her flightless for at least a week, but she knew how to take a prank with stride and even get revenge.

Their laughter however was soon abruptly ended as a loud whirling sound began to become louder and louder catching both mare's attention. “Umm..Pinkie...is this part of the prank?” Rainbow Dash asked in a worried tone looking at the dial on the factory device was moving quickly along it's pressure gauge towards the red zone with the word”DANGER!” printed on it.

“Nopey-dopey. This is the prank!” Pinkie Pie replied unaware of why Rainbow Dash's expression had suddenly become pale.

“Then why is this device telling me that pressure is building up?” Rainbow Dash asked as she gave a quick glance around herself and noticed the pipe that she had “fixed” earlier was starting to glow in a faint red color which meant a lot of heat was building up around that point.

“I don't know. All the pipes in this place were broke from what I was told so I knew this was the perfect place to throw a prank because the stuff in here did what I needed it to.” Pinkie Pie replied and moments later gave a started cry as the pipe that Rainbow Dash fixed suddenly erupted with hot water and steam which shot out towards other devices which began to sparkle and sputter.

“Pinkie Pie! Get out of here! Now!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she began to frantically began flipping switches and turning nobs on the cloud device. Considering it was her job to work with clouds she had training in how these devices worked and was trying to fix this small problem before it became a bigger one.

“Wait, what's going on?!” Pinkie Pie asked in a panicked tone.

“I can't explain now! Just get out of here! It's not safe! I gotta fix this! It's my fault that this is happening!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she ran over to the now sparking and sputtering device and began to flip switches and turn nobs all the while avoiding the instruments which were malfunctioning. This was not going well. All the status devices on just about ever device she was now working on read”DANGER!” or had dials hovering over that word in pressure gauges.

“You best start splainin then! Because I’m not leaving until you tell me what's going on!” Pinkie Pie replied as she looked around herself. She had no idea what was happening but judging by the rapid beeping sounds and malfunctioning devices it wasn't good.

Rainbow Dash gave panicked glanaces around herself and soon realized there was no stopping this chain reaction. She then gave a panicked glance to her friend who was defiantly standing there still.

“PINKIE PIE! GET YOUR BUCKING FLANK OUTTA HERE! THIS PLACE IS FIXING TO BLOW!” Rainbow Dash screamed at the top of her lungs running at her friend, jumping into air, and bucking at her with such speed and strength sending the pink mare flying out the front door and several feet away.

Pinkie Pie stood up dazed not entirely sure what had just happened however before she could think a explosion erupted from within the factory followed by another and another. The pink mare's face went horrified as she realized Rainbow Dash was still in there as more and more explosions occurred. “Rainbow!!!” Pinkie Pie screamed at the top of her lungs as she charged back into the burning building to see debris and parts of the instruments of devices scattered. “Dashie? Say something! Where are you?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and gave a shocked shriek as debris fell right next to her causing the pink mare to jump back. “Rainbow! Say something!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she looked around frantically for her friend. Her chest was pounded so hard right now that it felt as if her heart was ready to explode out of her chest but it would have to find it's way out of the pit of her stomach first as it fell deep into it when she saw a crippled blue wing sticking out from a pile of debris.

“P-Pinkie....get out of here...” Rainbow Dash said in a weak tone as her friend rushed over and began to move debris from on top of her and revealed her bruised and bleeding face.

“And you leave you here to die? Are you loco in the coco?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she struggled to lift a heavy piece of machinery from on top of her friend. She had no idea how she managed to lift it much less move it but she could care less. With this last piece moved all she had to do now was move a few light weight pipes and she would be able to carry her friend out.

Another explosion however occurred at this point startling both mares. “You stupid mule, why did you come back for me? Now we are both going to die here.” Rainbow Dash said in a weak tone as Pinkie Pie moved the last object from on top of her friend,flung her over her back, and began to move as quickly as possible but being careful not to drop her friend. “Not if I have any say in it!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she made her way towards the entrance avoiding falling debris as she did so.

She managed to get out of the building a mere few minuets later and just I time too as she was now a safe distance away the factory gave a mighty roar as one final explosion shook the ground seemingly, by now Pegasus Fireponies were quickly making their way armed with clouds full of rain water to put the flames out as well as medical ponies moving quickly on foot to the scene.

Pinkie Pie set her friend down on the ground next to her and gave a relieved sigh. “Wowie...that was close eh Dashie?” Pinkie Pie remarked with a smile looking at her friend however she didn't reply. “Dashie?” Pinkie Pie said in a concerned tone. It was then she noticed a horrifying fact that she hadn't noticed before. Her entire back was soaked in blood which meant Rainbow Dash had been bleeding the entire time.

“Dashie?....Rainbow Dash?” Pinkie Pie said in a quiet tone her voice cracking as she spoke.

RAINBOW DASH!!!

FIVE DAYS AND 4 HOURS AGO:

“She's been stabilized, you can all see her now.” Nurse Redheart said at which point Twilight,Rarity,Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie walked into her hospital room and looked at her who was smilingly weakly back at them. She had an IV in one arm, a plastic device over her mouth with a hose attached to it that was hooked up to an oxygen tank and looked worse for wear.

“I'm soo sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she went over to her friend and hugged her.

“Hey, it wasn't your fault. I was the feather brain who tried to fix that pipe that caused the entire thing to happen.” Rainbow Dash replied weakly.

“I'm never going to pull a prank on you ever again! And once you get out i'm going to throw you a super duper party! The best party have ever thrown! It will have balloons, cake, and i'll even get the wonderbolts to perform at it!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she held the cyan blue Pegasus’s hoof tightly in hers.

“Heh, the wonderbolts cost an awful lot to book Pinkie Pie. I think that might be a little out of her price range.” Twilight remarked with a soft smile.

“I'll even break my rainy day piggy bank if I have to in order to book them then! It's the least I can do.” Pinkie Pie replied then looked back at Rainbow Dash.

“Pinkie Pie, don't be feelin guilty, it was an innocent prank. It's not like ya could have predicted somethin like this happenin.” Applejack said as she walked next to Pinkie Pie and put a hoof around her.

“But if I hadn't soaked her wings in grease she could have flown out, so it is my fault!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed tears now forming in her eyes.

“Pinkie...everything happened so fast, the only thing I had time to do was buck you out to safety. The next thing I knew I was barely awake under a pile of ruble. Wings or not I couldn't have gotten out of there in time.” Rainbow Dash replied then gave a harsh and heavy cough.

“But....” Pinkie Pie began to say but trailed off as Rainbow put a hoof over her mouth gently. “Don't worry about it...I'll be out of here in no time.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smile.

4 DAYS DAYS AND 12 HOURS AGO:

“May I speak with you five?” Nurse Redheart asked in a quiet tone as the five came in to see Rainbow Dash.
“How's Rainbow doin? She's gonna get out of this consarned place soon right?” Applejack asked in a concerned tone upon seeing Nurse Redheart's saddened expression.

Nurse Redheart gave a heavy sigh at this. “This is the worst part of the job...” Nurse Redheart remarked under her breath unknown to the five ponies as she looked at her charts then lowered them. “There's been a complication with Rainbow Dash's condition.” Nurse Redheart said and stopped before continuing. “ She had been bleeding internally for the last twelve hours but we had no idea till a few hours ago. Perhaps if we had gotten to it sooner she might have stood a chance...I'm sorry.” Nurse Redheart said in a saddened tone.

“Wait...what are you saying?” Twilight asked her voice cracking as she spoke.

“Rainbow Dash passed away in her sleep three hours ago.” Nurse Redheart replied her voice cracking as she spoke now.

“No way....Rainbow wouldn't kick the can like that. Ya best be jokin! Tell meh you're jokin!” Applejack exclaimed as she rushed up and shook the nurse violently for a few moments and let her go.

“I'm sorry for your loss...” Nurse Redheart replied, turned around and walked away.

“Ah....Ah...can't believe this...” Applejack said in a stunned tone.

“Rainbow....” Twilight said softly before breaking into full blown sobs into Rarity's shoulder who rubbed her back comfortingly while tears streamed from her eyes as well.

Fluttershy fell to her rump with a blank expression for a few moments until tears formed in her eyes and her expression slowly changed as she quietly whimpered at first with her lower lip quivering until she finally slammed her face into both hooves sobbing quietly into them.

Unknown to the other four Pinkie Pie was in a stunned stupor, her world seemingly frozen around her, all she could do was stare blankly at her five friends who grieved as if in slow motion. “It's all my fault...” Pinkie Pie said in a quiet tone but even though it was quiet her voice seemed to echo around her saying the same thing ten times over mercilessly assaulting her eardrums with those words it seemed.

Pinkie Pie's world was suddenly shot back into full speed as she was slammed against the hospital wall by Applejack much to the other three pony's shock. “It's all your fault! If you hadn't been such a foal and playin foalish pranks like that this here would have never happened! Rainbow would be be here!” Applejack exclaimed at the top of her lungs as Twilight and Fluttershy both quickly began to pull her away from the pink mare before she could slam her hoof into Pinkie Pie's face. However she fought against the two with all her might trying to lung at the pink mare all the same.

It got to the point that Rarity herself had to join in holding the farm pony back. “We was, we was, we was gonna be hitched next month! We was gonna adopt a foal and everythin! Live a life as a proper family and all! Now that will never happen and it's all your fault!” Applejack exclaimed stuttering her words with her voice cracking as she shouted as tears flooded from her eyes now and a few moments later fell to the floor and began to sob loudly.

12 HOURS AFTER THE PRESENT

“Who am I going to live with now?” Scootaloo asked in a sad tone as the five ponies as well as Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom sat in Rarity's home.

“Well, Ah know ah'm not the best mare in Equestria and there's no way ah could replace Rainbow, but if ya want, ya could come with with meh, Applebloom, and Big Macintosh. Course that's up to ya if you want tah and and all that.” Applejack said with a soft smile.

“Thanks Applejack...” Scootaloo said in a soft tone.

“Has anypony seen Pinkie Pie?” Twilight asked with a sniffle as she wiped her puffy eyes with a tissue.

“I haven't seen her since the funeral darling. I certainly hope the mare isn't blaming herself. There's no way she could have predicted this.” Rarity said and gave a heavy sigh.

“That's a matter of opinion...” Applejack remarked sourly.

“Applejack! You can't honestly think that!” Twilight exclaimed in a shocked and appalled tone at which point the farm pony sighed.

“Look, ah know it wasn't her fault, but ah can't help it...if she hadn't been playin such a foalish prank then-”

SLAP!!!

“How dare you...HOW DARE YOU!” Fluttershy exclaimed in a pissed off tone looking Applejack in the eyes now. “Listen here miss farm pony, Pinkie Pie may behaving like a foal at times and do foalish things but don't you ever and mean EVER say that she is to blame for such an oh so terrible thing happening! She risked her life to save her from that burning building! I don't want you to EVER say those words again! You got that?” Fluttershy said giving Applejack a stern glare.

“Yes, mam.” Applejack replied feebly cowering slightly in front of the yellow Pegasus.

Pinkie Pie walked through the fields of Celestia's royal garden looking about it her hair flat and lacking it's usual puffy appearance. In fact ever since the day Rainbow Dash's death as announced her hair had deflated and had not puffed out since. Her eyes then fell upon Discord's statue though now it was only a shadow of what it once was. The statue was cracked in many places and many parts of it were missing. “Discord...the meanie pants who nearly destroyed everything we ponies hold dear...” Pinkie Pie said in a low tone before taking out a small shard from her backpack and placing it at the foot of Discord's statue. “If anypony in Equestria can help me..it's him.” Pinkie Pie said in a low tone as she pulled out a spell book flipped the pages and came a crossed a spell entitled:

TEMPORARILY REVERSING THE IRREVERSIBLE:

ADVANCED MAGIC TO FIX MINOR PROLEMS CAUSED BY MAGIC GONE WRONG

Pinkie Pie then began to recite magical words in the human tongue:

Magic that was once done which can not be undone,

Dispel your curse upon this soul until the rise of the next sun!

Thunderstorm clouds then formed above Pinkie Pie and the statue and moments later lightning stuck the crystal one the ground which immediately shot a beam of magic against the statue. “I might as well be making a deal with the devil, but I have no choice...” Pinkie Pie remarked aloud as Discord's statue slowly began to change from stone to flesh.

“Well,well,well, looky who we have here. Your the last pony I would have expected to release me, but no matter.” Discord said with a evil grin as she began to step off the pedestal only to see his left foot slowly turn back to stone and recoiled. “What kind of sorcery is this?” Discord said with a glare at the pink mare.

“I'm not stupid Discord, I don't trust you as far as I can throw you, but your the only one I know who can alter reality as we know it, Celestia has refused to do such a thing ever again so I only have you to turn to. This spell will last till sunrise which is five hours away.” Pinkie Pie said with a glare.

“And why would you temporarily release me from my prison for?” Discord asked narrowing his eyes at the pink mare having gotten his full attention now.

“I need you to turn back the hooves of time to a week and one day ago. I know you can do this.” Pinkie Pie said in a low tone. She was regretting doing this already but she had come this far and she might as well go with it, considering she has no other option she wasn't about to let this one pass her by.

“And what do I get out this? Even if I were to do this and I’m not saying I will, I will still return back to stone by the time sunrise comes about. What do I have to gain?” Discord replied as he glanced over his lion's paw with a non-caring expression on his face.

“This crystal is the key to your freedom, however it requires more than one to make it permanent. I have four more back at my house. You turn back the hooves of time allowing me to keep my memories of what has happened up till now and I’ll cast a spell for your full release. But I have a three conditions if you agree.” Pinkie Pie replied.

“Oh? Which are? You have my full attention now by the way.” Discord replied as a sneer appeared on his face.

“No harm is to come to any of my friends or any of the ponies in Equestria. If anyone is harmed you turn back into stone for all time. The second one is that Rainbow Dash must survive, if she doesn't then the deal is off.” Pinkie Pie said in a stern tone.

“How boring....what's the third?” Discord replied not liking this deal.

“If everything goes well and Rainbow Dash is alive by the time this is over...you get me.” Pinkie Pie replied.

A sinister grin appeared on Discord's face at these words. “Oh my, did something happen to dear little Rainbow Dash?” Discord asked in a jeering tone.

“She's dead.” Pinkie Pie said quickly turning her face away from Discord as she shed a silent tear down her cheek.

“You poor thing...well that's what I would say if I had a heart, haha!” Discord said feigning a sympathetic tone at first then giving a light laugh.

“Time is ticking Discord, do we have a deal or not?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed arching a threatening hoof back preparing to shatter the gem at a moments notice which Discord took note of and changed his attitude quickly at this.

“Hmm, eternal freedom and a slave versus an eternity in stone....” Discord said in a face paced tone with a thoughtful explosions as she tapped his cheek looking in thought.

“Going once!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed arching her hoof back even more so now.

“Well there are perks to both, after all even with an eternal slave and freedom I couldn't have too much fun, But an eternity in stone means no fun but I would have to worry about Celestia breathing down my neck.” Discord said in a fast paced manner still looking deep in thought.

“Going Twice!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed even more fiercely preparing to slam a hoof down on the crystal shard.

“Okay, Okay! You save her life and I get my freedom as well as you. It's a deal.” Discord exclaimed just as Pinkie Pie began to thrust her hoof forward but halted upon hearing his words.

“Then do it.” Pinkie Pie said simply.

Discord then snapped his lion's paw finger and the world around Pinkie Pie began to whirl and fade.

Oh silly me! I forgot to mention this little detail, Memories can't be retained when using time based magic! That's not a problem is it?! MWAHAHA!

Discord's voice echoed around her before things went black...

A second chance

A SECOND CHANCE

TWO DAYS REMAINING:

Pinkie Pie sat up abruptly in her bed and looked around very quickly. “Wowie...what a nightmare.” Pinkie Pie remarked getting out of her bed, walking over the mirror and allowed her hair to puff out to it's normal puffy appearance.

“If only...haha...” A voice echoed which Pinkie Pie recognized right away. “Discord! How did you get out?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed looking about herself.

“Oh I didn't, see this is the first rule of my game. As long as our deal holds, you can see and hear me but no pony else can...” Discord replied as he took the shape of one of Pinkie Pie's stuffed animals and began to walk about on her bed.

“Why in Equestria would I make a deal with you?! And what game?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed having no clue what the hydrocephalus was talking about but something about it words felt familiar. She just how no idea how or why they did.

“Haha, all will be revealed in due time, but only as I see fit. For now, I leave you with a single clue for you to guess with.” Discord said and Pinkie Pie's stuffed animal returned to normal falling flat on it's face on her bed.

If you wish to get your memories back and repent, just make sense of this chain of events,

Memories and a rainbow are my games,

I'm in no rush to dash to the finish, but do you feel the same?

These words echoed through the room and slowly faded until they could be heard no more.

“Wait...a riddle? Oh great...” Pinkie Pie remarked dismally. Pinkie Pie wasn't the brainy type like Twilight so she was at a loss for what this riddle actually meant and the only thing that kept her from running to the others about this was a sense of familiarity with this entire scene. She couldn't explain it if she tried but she knew something big was going on if she was willing to make a deal with Discord. She had to tell at least one pony though...

ONE DAY AND EIGHTEEN HOURS REMAINING:

“Wait...so only you can see and hear him?” Twilight remarked curiously in a worried tone.

“Yeah, he said we made a deal of some sort, but I would never make a deal with such a meanie pants, yet...” Pinkie Pie said trailing off.

“Yet what?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Well...it might just be a the Selena in me talking, but something about his words feel true. I can't explain it, but if I did make a deal with that meanie pants, then it means something big happened for me to be so desperate.” Pinkie Pie replied and gave a deep sigh.

“What in Equestria would drive you to make a magical deal with him?! And even more so, how would be possible to even release him from his stone prison?!” Twilight exclaimed trying her best to make sense of this, however this was driving the purple unicorn up the walls trying to make sense of this.

“I have no clue.” Pinkie Pie replied honestly.

“I think we best call Sweetie Belle in here. She is your other half after all.” Twilight replied to this as she went to the door only for Pinkie Pie to jump in front of her.

“No! No other pony can know! I don't want everypony thinking I’ve gone loco in the coco!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a panicked tone.

“Pinkie Pie, I just worried about you. Sweetie Belle is the only one who knows you better than me. So move your flank out of the way!” Twilight exclaimed in an annoyed tone, moved Pinkie Pie out of the way, and walked out the door leaving the pink mare alone in Twilight's library.

“But i'm not crazy...” Pinkie Pie said in a soft yet sad tone.

Heh-heh-heh...why sooo sad Pinkie Pie?

Discord's voice echoed throughout the room at which point Pinkie Pie looked around the room and saw Discord appear on the cover of one of Twilight's books.

“Gee, I don't know...maybe it's because I got my friend thinking that I've gone loco in coco, jumped on the crazy train, booked a first class ticket to loony town!” Pinkie Pie said sounding sarcastic with her first metaphor, sounding even more annoyed with her second, and screaming her third at the book with a crazed yet pissed off expression now.

“Well when you behave like that, I would think you've gone crazy too.” Discord replied in a jeering tone.

“I'm not crazy!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she lifted the book up with both hooves and shook it violently, slammed it on the table, and noticed Twilight giving her a worried look. “Discord was on the-he annoyed-He was being a meanie-ARGH! Never mind....” Pinkie Pie said in a panicked tone stumbling over her words until she abruptly gave an aggravated cry and walked away from the book.

“I couldn't find Sweetie Belle. She must be out crusading again with Applebloom and Scootaloo. Listen Pinkie Pie...maybe you should take a few days to rest. Rainbow Dash's last prank must have did a worse number on you than we thought.” Twilight said in a soft tone.

“But, what about his riddle? Your the only brainy pony around here.” Pinkie Pie replied in a concerned tone.

“I'll see what I can do, but you should get some rest.” Twilight replied placing a hoof on her shoulder.

Pinkie Pie narrowed her eyes at the purple unicorn at this. “You really think I’ve gone loco in the coco don't you?” Pinkie Pie said in a low tone.

“No,no. I just think the stress of last week is getting to you is all.” Twilight said making a nervous smile as she said this. She was lying through her teeth and she knew it, but she didn't want to hurt her friend's feelings.

“Fine, forget the silly riddle! I'll figure it out on my own!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a hurt yet pissed off tone as she walked past Twilight, to the door, opened it, and slammed it behind her so hard that it caused some books to fall out and hit the floor.

ONE DAY AND TWELVE HOURS REMAINING:

Pinkie Pie stood in the abandoned cloud factory where she was setting up her prank for Rainbow Dash giggling to herself having completely forgotten for the moment about Discord and her spat with Twilight. “This prank is going to be super funny! I can't wait to see Rainbow Dash's face! He-he!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she made a few last modifications to her prank.

Having fun? Haha...

Discord's voice echoed throughout the factory bringing the pink mare's happy mood to a screeching halt. “I'm not listening! Your just a figment of my imagination!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she attempted to ignore Discord who's face had appeared on a pipe next to her.

“Pinkie Pie, I'm hurt you'd say such thing about me. After all, if my best friend's life was at stake, I would be more than willing to listen.” Discord replied making a mock hurt expression at first which turned into a sneer upon causing Pinkie Pie to whirl around and look at him.

“What horseapples are spouting off now?” Pinkie Pie replied in a annoyed tone only for Discord's face to disappear from the pipe.

My second riddle should be make things a little more clear.

Pranks and fun are your tricks of the trade,

some pranks can cause a friend's life to fade,

Time is ticking down to their doom,

can you figure out when it will happen and to whom?

Discord's voice echoed these words over and over fading out slowly until they could b heard no more.

“Another riddle? Why can't you ever make sense?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed slamming her head against the pipe several times until the pain became so bad it caused her to stop and put a hoof on her throbbing head, look over and see Fluttershy standing in the doorway.

“Oh um, am I interrupting something? I can come back later.” Fluttershy said in a meek tone.

“Oh no, it's okay! Do you have those chicken feathers I asked for?” Pinkie Pie asked attempting to ignore her throbbing forehead as she walked over to the yellow Pegasus.

“Y-yes. Are you sure this is okay? This place seems a little scary to me.” Fluttershy remarked in a feeble tone looking about herself.

“Yep! It's totally super safe! I just need you to fly up their and put the bag on that little hook up there.” Pinkie Pie replied with a smile to which Fluttershy took off from the ground, set the bag on the hook, and landed back next to her.

“So nothing bad is going to happen to Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy asked in a concerned tone.

“Nope, nothing at all!” Pinkie Pie replied with a smirk.

“O-Okay.” Fluttershy replied and flew off.

“Now I just need to get some grease from Applejack!” Pinkie Pie said aloud to herself with a smirk.

ONE DAY AND SIX HOURS REMAINING:

“Ah can't figure out for the life of meh why ya beh needin all this grease for, but ah need to get rid of it anyways, so give meh a hollar when ya need meh tah run it up for ya after your done decidin how many ya want.” Applejack said pointing the pink mare in the direction of her storage shelter.

“Okey-doki-loki!” Pinkie Pie replied and ran into the storage shelter. “Hmm..two barrels should be enough, I don't want to over do it.” Pinkie Pie said aloud thoughtfully as she looked around the storage shelter.

I beginning to to wonder if your friend's life is that important to you.

Discord's voice echoed throughout the room which once again sent the pink mare's great mood spiraling into the ground followed by a violent explosion or at least that's how it felt to her.

“You've done nothing but throw riddles at me! And I don't even know if you're telling the truth or if you just a figment of my imagination!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as Discord's face appeared on one of the apples next to the basket of apples she was standing next to now.

“Well I said I would help, after all that was the deal we made, however you failed to specify exactly how I should help you.” Discord replied with a sneer.

“I'm done listening to you!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, picked up the apple and chucked it which hit the wall with a loud splatter right next to Applejack's head against the wall. “Whoa nelly, you okay thar sugarcube?” Applejack asked in a concerned tone.

“Just peachy.” Pinkie Pie replied sourly.

This is my second to last riddle to you.

Time is not on your side,

It not something you can bide,

Life is but a pipe dream my friend,

You have one chance to protect somepony from a terrible end.

Discord's voice echoed throughout the room much to the pink mare's annoyance. “Shut the buck up with the riddles! I don't care!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed then looked at Applejack who's expression had become even more worried.

“Uh, you sure you're okay sugarcube?” Applejack asked in a worried tone.

“I'm okey-dokey-loki! Just take two and thanks again!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and ran out the door without another word.

TWELVE HOURS REMAINING:

Pinkie Pie woke up early today. She had planned this prank on her best friend for many months and she knew it would be one that would go down in the history books as her best prank ever. She knew that her and Rainbow Dash would laugh about this for days to come. But it wasn't time for it just yet. “This prank is going to be so super fun! I can't wait!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she started to walk towards the her door.

Have you figured out my riddles yet?

Discord's voice echoed throughout the room which made the pink mare freeze and look around the room expecting him to take on the form of one of her stuff animals again but he was no where to be seen. “No, and I don't care!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and began to walk towards her door only for Discord to appear on it stopping the pink mare in her tracks.

“This is just too much fun! This more fun than I had when I discorded you all! Haha!” Discord replied only for Pinkie Pie to thrust a hoof at his face only blast a hole in her door with Discord leaning to the side of it giving an apprehensive look at the hole then at Pinkie Pie. “I'm sensing a great amount of frustration.” Discord said after a few moments.

“You think?” Pinkie Pie replied in a sarcastic tone as she flung the door open and walked down the stairs only for Discord to appear on the face of a vase next to her in the bakery part of her home.

“I will leave you with this last riddle.” Discord said and disappeared from the vase.

Time is pacing forward still,

The time to act will be based on your will,

When the sun hangs in the sky over a house of steel,

That is the time where your friend’s life will be sealed...

Good luck my little pony! Haha!

SIX HOURS REMAINING:

“Uh-uh...sure...okay.” Twilight replied nonchalantly to Pinkie Pie's rambling as she read a book as she normally did in the park.

“And then she's going to be covered in grease! Then come the chicken feathers! It's going to be so funny!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed giggling insanely after this statement.

This however caught the purple unicorn's attention.” Wait...grease? Isn't that a little extreme?” Twilight remarked in a concerned tone.

“Nopey-dopey! You saw the prank she pulled on me last week! It took me a week to get the dye out of my mane! But it's all in good fun!” Pinkie Pie replied with a smirk.

Twilight recalled this and couldn't help but giggle. Poor Pinkie Pie had her mane and tail dyed in the color of Rainbow Dash's mane and tail which Pinkie Pie had immediately freaked out over at first. The dye however had an a side effect that not even Rainbow Dash had predicted. It had caused her mane to loose it puffy appearance so poor Pinkie Pie's mane and tail couldn't hold it's puffy appearance for more than five seconds which lead to Pinkie Pie constantly having to blow her mane to out of her face which annoyed the pink mare to no end. It was a prank she had yet to live down as she was often joked on as “Rainbow Dash the second” by her friends.

“I don't know, you made a pretty good Rainbow Dash.” Twilight remarked with a giggle earning a slightly annoyed look from the pink mare.

“See! This is why I have to get her back! She got me good! And I’m going to get back...Pinkie Pie style!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a confident smile.

“Just be careful. We don't want any accidents.” Twilight cautioned.

“Duh!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a wide grin.

Twilight then closed her book, walked over to Pinkie Pie, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Are you sure you're feeling alright? You've had us all worried about you since yesterday.” Twilight said in a concerned tone.

“I'm fine!” Pinkie Pie replied in a semi-annoyed tone.

“We don't think so.” Twilight replied and sighed.

“We?” Pinkie Pie replied in a confused tone until Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack stepped out from behind the bushes. “What are you all doing here for?” Pinkie Pie asked in a worried tone as she looked to each of her friend's faces which showed worry on them.

“We have come to try and help ya. Ah don't want to think ya might be losin it, but after yesterday and all, ah can't help but wonder if your alright in the head.” Applejack said in a concerned tone.

“Twilight spoke to me yesterday darling about you when she was looking for Sweetie Belle and it worried me so I thought I should come and help as well, after all that's what friends are for.” Rarity chimed in.

“You were..umm..behaving kind of odd yesterday...and it umm..scared me..so...umm..I want to help to...if that's okay.” Fluttershy said chiming in after Rarity now as well.

“I'm not crazy!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed looking to each of her friends but they didn't look covinced.

“We don't wanna think you are either sugarcube, but hearin voices and all...that's never a good sign.” Applejack replied.

“It wasn't just any voice, it was Discord's! He's given me like four riddles and he's been hinting at one of you guys dying or something.” Pinkie Pie replied trying to defend herself.

“Pinkie, Discord is encased in stone. There's no way in Equestria he could be speaking to you. You have to understand this or we can't help you.” Twilight replied.

Pinkie Pie couldn't believe what she was hearing, her friends think she's gone off the deep end! It upset her so badly she could barely see strait, but then she began to wonder if they might be right.

“I-I don't know what to think anymore. I don't want to think anything is wrong with me, but...” Pinkie Pie said trailing off thinking for the first time since yesterday they really might be right and something really was wrong with her, after all she was the only one who could hear him. Maybe she really was losing it.

“It's okay Pinkie Pie, we are here for you darling. We want to help you. So I’ve taken the liberty of arranging to have a good friend of mine come all the way from Canterlot to see you. He's a very nice pony.” Rarity said with a warm smile.

“Well this is a relief, ah was worried ah’d have to hogtie ya to keep ya from runnin off.” Applejack said and gave a light laugh.

“Wait, you were going to hogtie me?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed incredulously.

“Yeah, ah didn't want to take any chances, but ah'm glad you are seein reason here.” Applejack replied with a sheepish smile.

“Umm..has anypony seen Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy asked curiously.

“Oh, she's probably waiting for me at the factory. Oh cupcakes!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a panicked tone.

“What's wrong?” Twilight asked in a concerned tone.

“She might trigger my prank without me there!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a panicked tone.

“Oh dear...” Rarity remarked in a worried tone.

“Well we got some time before Rarity's friend is supposed to be here. Lets go stop her.” Twilight said to which the other four agreed and followed Pinkie Pie in the direction of the cloud factory.

TEN MINUTES REMAINING:

“I wonder where Pinkie Pie is. She said to meet her here to help her with something today...” Rainbow Dash said aloud as she looked around inside the factory and looked up at the pipe above the device. “Hmm...maybe she needed me to fix that pipe.? Well I better take care of it before she gets here. She'll probably thank me in advanced and I can get on my way once she gets here.” Rainbow Dash remarked as she took off from the ground and fixed the pipe and landed back on the ground.

The doors suddenly flung open to the factory revealing Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity at which point Rainbow Dash turned to look at them, unknowingly flipping the switch with her tail. “Hey girls what are you-WHOA!” Rainbow Dash began to say only to be cut off by getting suddenly shot off her rump, covered in grease, and chicken feathers fall down on her coating her in it making her look like a chicken more or less.

“What in the name of Equestria?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in an upset tone.

Pinkie Pie couldn't help but fall over and laugh insanely upon seeing this. Twilight and the other three were soon to follow.

“Ah gotta say, that's one big chicken!” Applejack exclaimed between laughs.

“I-I'm sorry rainbow! I can't help it! You-you look so funny!” Twilight exclaimed between laughs holding her sides.

“Oh darling, you are simply a fashion fashion disaster! Haha! Why I might even name my new line after you! Rainbow Chicken fashion line! Haha!” Rarity exclaimed between laughs.

Even Fluttershy was on her backside laughing her flank off. “I-I-I'm ev-ever so-so sor-sorry! But-but I can't help it!” Fluttershy exclaimed meekly between laughs stumbling over her words as she spoke.

“I came here to stop you, but I’m glad I didn't! It's so funny!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed between laughs.

Rainbow Dash's face went from hurt to wide smile as she laughed herself” Haha! Good one Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed laughing out loud.

A loud whirling however caused all six to stop laughing abruptly. “Uhh..Pinkie Pie..is this part of the joke?” Rainbow Dash asked looking pale now as she looked over at the dial which was moving quickly over the words”DANGER!”

A loud hissing sound could be heard which caused every pony to look up and see the pipe that Rainbow Dash had fixed glowing red now as if a lot of heat was building up in it

At this exact moment Pinkie Pie froze as Discord's riddles suddenly shot into her head one after the other...

FLASHBACK ONE:

If you wish to get your memories back and repent, just make sense of this chain of events,

Memories and a rainbow are my games,

I'm in no rush to dash to the finish, but do you feel the same?

FLASHBACK TWO:

pranks and fun are your tricks of the trade,

some pranks can cause a friend's life to fade,

Time is ticking down to their doom,

can you figure out when it will happen and to whom?

FLASHBACK THREE:

Time is not on your side,

It not something you can bide,

Life is but a pipe dream my friend,

You have one chance to protect somepony from a terrible end.

FLASHBACK FOUR:

Time is pacing forward still,

The time to act will be based on your will,

When the sun hangs in the sky over a house of steel,

That is the time where your friend’s life will be sealed...

The riddles now swirled in here mind and created a clear picture. THIS is what Discord was talking about. Rainbow Dash's life was in danger and she realized this now. She was going to die in this very building unless she did something NOW.

“Everypony get out of here now! Something super bad is about happen!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a frantic tone.

“What the hay are you talkin about Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked in a confused tone.

It was at this point the pipe that Rainbow Dash had fixed suddenly exploded sending a stream of hot water flying over on the device not far from rainbow Dash causing it to malfunction and sputter sparks.

“I can't explain it! Just get out of here now!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed at which point Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Applejack quickly made their way out of the building.

“Hurry up and get out of Pinkie Pie! I have to fix this! It's my fault this is happening!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she began to flip switching and turn nobs on the device.

“No! You have to get out of here now! All day today Discord has been telling me riddles and they all make sense! If you don't get out of here now you're going to die!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a frantic tone.

“No I won't! I can fix this! Get the buck outta here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she ran over to the other device and began to flip switches and turn nobs while avoid the malfunctioning ones.

“I'm sorry Dashie, but i'm not leaving, you are!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she ran over to Rainbow Dash bit onto her mane and chucked her out the door so that she landed several feet away.

Rainbow Dash stood up dazed not entirely sure what had just happened however before she could think a explosion erupted from within the factory followed by another and another. The cyan blue Pegasus’s face went horrified as she realized Pinkie Pie was still in there as more and more explosions occurred. “Pinkie!!!” Rainbow Dash screamed at the top of her lungs as she charged back into the burning building to see debris and parts of the instruments of devices scattered. “Pinkie? Say something! Where are you?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed and gave a shocked shriek as debris fell right next to her causing the cyan blue Pegasus to jump back. “Pinkie! Say something!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she looked around frantically for her friend. Her heart was beating so fast she would have thought she had just got done flying a cross Equestria marathon as it threatened to explode out of her chest but it would have to find it's way out of the pit of her stomach as it fell into it upon seeing a bloody and bruised hoof limply hunched over in a pile of debris.

Rainbow Dash ran over and began to move debris out of the way finally revealing Pinkie Pie's bruised and bleeding face. “Rainbow, you idiot....why did you come back? Get out of here while you can...” Pinkie Pie asked weakly as the cyan blue Pegasus began to move debris off her.

“And leave you here to die? Not a chance! I never leave my friends hanging!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she bucked a piece of machinery off the top of the pink mare.

Just great...why did you go all noble all the sudden for?! Do you realize what you've done?!

Discord's voice exclaimed but only Pinkie Pie could hear it. “Heh...whatever deal we made...I guess I was a smarty pants enough to put in a clause that blew your plan huh?” Pinkie Pie replied weakly.

You couldn't have possibly planned this! There's no conceivable way! You never got your memories back!

Discord's voice echoed throughout the room as Rainbow Dash began to carry her out slowly. “Don't worry Pinkie! I'll get your out of here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she moved slowly but quickly towards the doors.

“Whether I planned this or not..you lose meanie pants...” Pinkie Pie replied weakly followed by a weak giggle.

Hmph! I may not get you, but at least I get a wonderful a consolation prize! Rainbow Dash WILL make the same deal that you did, but this time I will make it so she does not put in the same clause as you!

Discord's voice echoed many times and finally faded as Rainbow Dash carried her out and set her down next to her as Pegasus Fireponies flew in with clouds full of rain to put out the flames as well as medical ponies who rushed on the scene.

“That was a close one eh Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow Dash said with a light laugh only Pinkie Pie didn't respond. It was then the cyan blue Pegasus realized a horrifying fact her entire backside was covered in Pinkie Pie's blood.

“Pinkie...Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow Dash said in a quiet tone her voice cracking as she spoke.

PINKIE PIE!!!!

ONE DAY AND TWELVE HOURS LATER:

“She's been stabilized, you can all see her now.” Nurse Redheart said at which point Twilight,Rarity,Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash walked into her hospital room and looked at her who was smilingly weakly back at them. She had an IV in one arm, a plastic device over her mouth with a hose attached to it that was hooked up to an oxygen tank and looked worse for wear.

“You crazy mare! Why'd you do that for?! You could have died!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed hugging Pinkie Pie tightly.

“I didn't want to lose you. Who'd I play pranks with if you kicked the can?” Pinkie Pie replied weakly and gave a harsh cough afterward.

“Don't you worry about that. After you get out of here we're going to have a big old party for you. Pinkie Pie style!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a smirk.

“Pinkie Pie...we just wanted to say we were sorry we thought you were crazy.” Twilight said in a sad tone.

“Yeah, we thought you had plum flipped your lid, but it turns out you weren't spoutin a whole lot of hooey. Ah can't say ah believe it was Discord talkin to ya and all, but ah reckon whoever that voice was, it was tryin to help ya.” Applejack said lowering her hat and holding it against her chest.

“I feel simply horrid for thinking so badly of you Pinkie Pie darling, after all your pinkie sense if real enough, I don't know what in Equestria would posses me to think that predicting the future was out of your range of special gifts.” Rarity chimed in with a soft smile.

“Can I talk to Rainbow Dash alone?” Pinkie Pie asked weakly.

“Of course.” Twilight replied and motioned for the others to leave along with her, leaving Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash alone in the room.

“Rainbow, promise me that no matter what happens to me, you won't make a deal with Discord like I did.” Pinkie Pie said weakly giving another harsh cough.

“Pinkie Pie, what in Equestria are you talking about? You really believe it was Discord who was helping you? Why would he do that? And don't talk like that, your going to be fine.” Rainbow Dash said in a soft tone holding Pinkie Pie's hoof in her hooves now.

“I can't explain it, but I know it was Discord who was helping me the whole time. I think I made a deal with him to turn back the hooves of time to save your life, you were suppose to be in this hospital bed not me. At least that's what I think based on what he told me as you were carrying me out of the burning factory. He said that you would be willing to make the same deal.” Pinkie Pie replied weakly.

“But that doesn't make any sense! How could you make a deal with him when he's encased in stone?” Rainbow Dash asked having a hard time believing this.

“When I was one with Sweetie Belle as Selena, there were these crystal shards that had the ability to reverse magic that is otherwise irreversible. I think that I might have used them to make a deal with him. That's the only thing I can think of.” Pinkie pie replied.

Bingo! My,my,my! Even without your memories, you are more than capable of putting the pieces together! I can fully see now that you truly were once the greatest unicorn in all of Equestria!

Discord's voice echoed throughout the room at which point Pinkie Pie gave a panicked look around the room. “What's wrong Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow Dash asked in a concerned tone.

“It's Discord, he's talking to me, he told me I was exactly right.” Pinkie Pie said in a quiet tone.

“Show yourself Discord!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed looking about herself now.

“Haha, she can't see nor hear me, not yet anyways...You might have begged her not to make the same deal, but even so, that won't stop Rainbow Dash from making the deal. You know her as good as I do, and you've done exactly as I had hoped! You've given the information she needed! I can't thank you enough Pinkie Pie! Haha!” Discord said as his face appeared on a flower pot next to her.

“N-No!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed weakly realizing she had just played into Discord's hands.

“Oh yes! My release might have been delayed a little but now it is a shoo in! Mwahaha!” Discord exclaimed and his face disappeared off the flower pot.

“No!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed a little more loudly now.

“Pinkie Pie? What's wrong?! Nurse!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as the pink mare began to kick and hit objects around her.

“What happened?!” Nurse Redheart asked as she rushed in to try and calm the pink mare.

“I-I don't know! She mentioned something about Discord and a deal then she went quiet for a few minutes then began to act like this!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as Pinkie Pie continued to hit objects around her, kick, and exclaim the word”No!” several times...

Fate

FATE

ONE DAY LATER:

Pinkie Pie opened her eyes with a start as she looked around herself and immediately was sent into a state of confusion. She was standing in front of her hospital bed looking at herself while a loud high pitched steady “beeeeeeeeep!” echoed throughout the room. “What the hay?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a confused tone.

At this exact point medical ponies rushed into the room around the Pinkie Pie in the hospital bed. “Get a toaster in here stat!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed as she flung the covers off the pink mare in the bed as another pushed a wheel cart in with a shock pad device on it very quickly.

“What are you ponies doing?! I'm right here!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she attempted to grab a hold of one of the medical ponies only for her hooves to seemingly phase right through them and gasped.

“Clear!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed at which point the pink mare in the bed convulsed, but the device did not stop it's long and steady “beeeeep!” sound. “Four hundred volts.....Clear!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed at which point the pink mare in the bed convulsed again but the steady beep did not stop.

“Wh-what's going on? Why can't they see or hear me? Why did my hoof just go right through that pony?” Pinkie Pie asked in a scared tone.

“Come on Pinkie Pie! Don't you quit on me! Five hundred volts....Clear!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed as she put the shock pads on the pink mare who convulsed once again but the device did not stop it's steady beep sound.

“Call it?” One of the medical ponies said in a quiet voice.

“Hell no! Six hundred volts!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed.

“Nurse Red-I SAID SIX HUNDRED VOLTS DAMN IT!” Nurse Red heart nearly screamed cutting off the medical mare who looked shocked at first but did as she asked just the same.

“Come on Pinkie! Don't you give up! Your friends need you damn it! Clear!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed as she applied the shock pads to the pink mare once again however the loud beeping continued just the same.

“That can't be me...it's-it's impossible!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a horrified tone.

“Hello Pinkamena Pie.” A voice said at which point Pinkie Pie whirled around to see a snow white Pegasus pony but this didn't look like your average Pegasus. This snow white mare was as tall as Celestia and had glistening wavy hair that looked like flowing snow, but lacked the horn.

“You can see me? Who or what are you?” Pinkie Pie said in a scared tone.

“That's a tough question Pinkie Pie. For all intent and purpose though, you can call me the angel of death. My job is to guide ponies who have passed on to the next world, whether it be heaven or hell.” The Angel of death replied.

“Wait...so I really am dead? This isn't a tricky trick?” Pinkie Pie replied and looked over at herself in the bed.

Nurse Redheart gave a heavy sigh. “Time of death, five-thirty in the morning.” Nurse Redheart said in a sad tone her voice cracking as she spoke.

Upon hearing these words Pinkie Pie seemingly froze she couldn't believe what was happening. She was dead. “Why did this happen? I was fine just yesterday! Sure I spazzed out a little but I was fine!” Pinkie Pie asked looking at the angel of death with tear filled eyes.

“You had internal bleeding that no pony knew about or could have predicted. “The angel of death replied at which point Pinkie Pie's jaw dropped.

“Wait...I remember now! This is exactly what happened to Rainbow Dash! But why did the same thing happen to me that happened to her?” Pinkie Pie asked in a confused tone.

“Fate is a fickle thing. Before the age of ponies, humans did not have abilities you ponies have today. Because of this I had to make changes in order to maintain the order in this world. The fate that was once Rainbow Dash's is now yours. You made a noble sacrifice Pinkie Pie and that type of act does not go unrewarded.” The Angel of death said with a soft yet sad smile.

“Pinkie Pie! No!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed snapping awake out of a dead sleep.

Sweetie Belle's cry was so loud that it woke up Rarity whom she was staying with for the week who came in and flipped the light on in her room. “What's wrong Sweetie Belle?” Rarity asked in a concerned tone when she saw Sweetie Belle sobbing loudly, walked over and put a hoof over her.

“It-it's P-Pinkie P-Pie...” Sweetie Belle said between sobs.

“What wrong darling?” Rarity asked feeling an overwhelming sense of dread now knowing that even thought Sweetie Belle and Pinkie Pie were no longer connected they still had a bond to one another.

“She's gone...” Sweetie Belle said in a horse whispering tone between sobs.

“Are you sure? We've all been very worried about her.” Rarity replied her voice cracking as she spoke.

“I-I can't feel her anymore...even though our link was broken we have always been able to feel one another. But now...” Sweetie Belle said trailing off and sobbing even louder if possible. “It feels like apart of me is dead!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed and continued to sob.

“I'm going to get a hold of the others Sweetie Belle. I'll be back as soon as I can and when I get back with the others we will go strait to the hospital. Will you be okay for a little while?” Rarity asked in a quiet tone to which Sweetie Belle nodded.

Rarity swiftly left the room and could be heard closing the front door to her home a few moments later.

It was at this point Pinkie Pie and the angel of death appeared in Sweetie Belle's room.

“Sweetie Belle...” Pinkie Pie said quietly tears in her eyes as she spoke.

Sweetie Belle's eyes snapped open and looked to her side. “P-Pinkie Pie?” Sweetie Belle said in a disbelieving tone.

“Wait! She can see me?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed looking up at the angel of death who silently nodded.

“This is your reward. You have until the end of this week to spend time with Sweetie Belle. She is after all, your other half. What you choose to do with this time you have with her is up to you.” The angel of death replied and disappeared in a bright flash of light.

“I thought you were dead!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed happily, ran over to Pinkie Pie and attempted to hug her only to phase through her then looked up in confusion.

“I-I am dead Sweetie Belle...” Pinkie Pie replied her voice cracking as she spoke as if she was finally coming to terms with this herself.

“You mean...you're a ghost?” Sweetie Belle replied her tears filling with tears once again.

“Yeah, but only till the end of this week. Only you can see me, but at the end of the week, I go to the great cake factory in the sky or so I’m told.” Pinkie Pie replied with a soft smile.

“Only I can see you? Why?” Sweetie Belle asked curiously still teary eyed, but curious all the same.

“It's my reward for sacrificing myself to save Rainbow Dash I guess.” Pinkie Pie replied with a soft smile.

Sweetie Belle sniffled and sigh upon hearing this. “I guess it only makes sense...we used to be the same pony after all. But I can't even hug you.” Sweetie Belle replied and sighed.

“Yo! Miss super cool angel of death! I know you can hear me! Throw me a cupcake here!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed looking upward but there was no response. “Oh well, worth a try I guess.” Pinkie Pie replied and gave a light giggle.

“Angel of death?” Sweetie Belle asked in a confused tone.

“It's complicated...” Pinkie Pie replied and turned to look at the door as Rarity, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack rushed into the room.

“We heard what Rarity told us. Are you completely sure?” Twilight asked in a worried tone.

“Yes, her ghost is...” Sweetie Belle began to say but trailed off as Pinkie Pie jumped in front of her and waved her hooves in front of her hysterically.

“Don't tell them I’m right here! Last thing we need is them thinking you've gone loco in the coco!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a panicked tone.

“What were ya about to say sugarcube?” Applejack asked in a soft tone.

“Yes, she's dead..I can feel it.” Sweetie Belle said lowering her face as tears flowed from her eyes and dripped onto the floor.

“Nothing against you Sweetie Belle, but I want to hear it from nurse Redheart herself.” Rainbow Dash said in a disbelieving tone.

“That's Dashie for ya. Refusing to believe anything till she sees it with her own eyes.” Pinkie Pie said with a soft smile followed by a sigh.

“Lets all go to the hospital.” Twilight suggested to which they all agreed and followed Twilight out of Rarity's house along with Sweetie Belle and Pinkie Pie.

The six ponies walked through the front doors of the hospital and into the waiting room to see nurse Redheart filling out papers silently crying to herself, looked up with a shocked look, sniffled, and wiped her eyes before walking from behind it to meet them halfway to the registration desk.

“Nurse Redheart, we came to ask about Pinkie Pie, ya see Sweetie Belle here has been goin on about how she passed away. We ain't sayin we don't believe her now, but we all wanna be plum sure she just isn't bein overly paranoid.” Applejack said in a soft tone hoping she really was.

“I-I'm afraid it's true. She passed away just a little over an hour ago.” Nurse Redheart replied in a horse voice which cracked as she spoke.

“No...” Rainbow Dash said incredulously in a stunned tone.

“Consarn it all!” Applejack exclaimed abruptly bucking a chair next to her which went flying and broke into fragments upon hitting the wall.

“Pinkie Pie....I can't believe this is happening!” Twilight exclaimed as tears formed in her eyes.

“How could this happen? She was just fine yesterday!” Rarity exclaimed in a disbelieving tone.

“How did you die?” Sweetie Belle asked in a whisper so no pony could hear her.

“Internal bleeding that the medical ponies couldn't find till it was too late.” Pinkie Pie replied in a sad tone. It tore her up to watch her friend's grieve in front of her eyes. She wanted to say something, anything, to let them know she was going to be okay, that she was going on to a better place, but she knew they couldn't hear her.

“She had been bleeding internally for the last twelve hours. I'm so stupid! I should have did a more thorough check up on her when she was first admitted!” Redheart exclaimed slamming a hoof on the coffee table next to her.

“No! There was nothing you could have done! Sweetie Belle, tell her there was nothing she could have done!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed looking at nurse Redheart at first then Sweetie Belle.

“I don't think there was anything you could have done.” Sweetie Belle said causing every pony to turn and look at her.

“That's very kind of you to say, but yes there was. I could have done my job better as a nurse. I'm going to be quitting after I finish filling out the paperwork for Pinkie Pie. It's clear to me now that being a medical pony is not my special talent after all.” Nurse Redheart replied with a sigh.

Pinkie Pie then ran up to Nurse Redheart phrasing through Rarity, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash who suddenly felt a freezing cold shiver run up their spines. “Did it get cold in here all the sudden?” Twilight asked with a slight shiver.

“No! It wasn't your fault! Being a medical pony is your passion Redheart! Don't you dare give it up because of me!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed jumping up and down in front of nurse Redheart but she couldn't see nor hear the pink mare as she slowly walked through her shivering slightly as she walked back to the registration desk.

“Argh! I can't believe this! Is this a reward or punishment?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in an outraged tone looking up now then looked over at Sweetie Belle, walked over to her and sat on her rump.

“What's the point in being a ghost and seeing all this if I can't do anything...” Pinkie Pie said sad tone as tears dripped from her eyes, down her cheeks, and onto the floor.

“Well, I can see and hear you.” Sweetie Belle replied in a whisper which caused the pink mare's eyes to light up.

“That's right! You can see and hear me! I need you to talk with Nurse Redheart alone. You think you can manage that?” Pinkie Pie asked with a hopeful smile.

“Of course! And I know exactly how to do it!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a whisper catching on to what Pinkie Pie was thinking, focused magic into her horn and cast a time freezing spell that left her, Pinkie Pie, and Nurse Redheart unaffected. “Nurse Redheart I need to tell you something important!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed running behind the reception counter.

“I'm sorry I’m very busy now.” Nurse Redheart replied then noticed that the room was far too quiet, looked around, and gawked at what she saw, then looked back at Sweetie Belle. “What did you...” Nurse Redheart began to saw but trailed off catching on as she noticed Sweetie Belle's horn glowing.

“I don't have a whole lot of time here but I need to tell that I can see and hear Pinkie Pie's ghost! She's right next to me!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed at which point nurse Redheart looked to the side of the filly but did not see her.

“I don't see her.” Nurse Redheart replied and sighed.

“Only I can see her. It's one of those higher power thingy's going on here. I don't know much more than you do. Anyways, Pinkie Pie told me to tell you that it wasn't your fault, there was nothing you could have done.” Sweetie Belle replied with a smile.

“I'm not so sure I believe you.” Nurse Redheart replied.

“Okay, she wants to be a doubting tomcolt fine! Tell her that I told you about the time I busted her reading a playfilly magazine when we were fifteen and I promised not to tell her as long as she helped me act sick so I could get out of a test during the eighth grade.” Pinkie Pie said with a smirk.

Sweetie Belle repeated this word for word at which point Nurse Redheart with beat red with embarrassment. “No pony knew about that except me and her! How could you possibly...” Nurse Redheart said trailing off before she gasped and put a hoof over her mouth. “You really can see and her...can't you?” Nurse Redheart said as her eyes filled with tears.

“Duh! That's what she was telling you all along you silly filly!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and giggled insanely for a few moments.

“She can't hear you.” Sweetie Belle said with a smirk looking at Pinkie Pie now.

“Can she hear me?” Nurse Redheart asked in a soft tone to which Sweetie Belle nodded. “Pinkie Pie, I just want to say how sorry I am for not being able to save your life. If only I had seen it in time...” Nurse Redheart said nearly breaking into tears by the time she had finished speaking.

“There was no way you could have, it was my time to go and don't you worry! I'll be going to that great cake factory in the sky soon enough! So please don't quit being a nurse because of me, it would make me super sad if you did because of me.” Pinkie Pie said with a warm smile which Sweetie Belle relayed the same message.

“Alright, I won't quit. I will continue to do my job as a medical pony in honor of your name Pinkie.” Nurse Redheart said with a warm smile.

Sweetie Belle then stopped casting the spell at which point a bright flash light occurred and Nurse Redheart was once again standing in front of the six ponies.

“That's very kind of you to say, but...” Nurse Redheart began to say only to trail off realizing she was about the say the exact same thing she had said seemingly a few moments ago, looked at Sweetie Belle who winked at her, then gave a soft smile. “But I see now that there are some things in life you can't possibly predict.” Nurse Redheart said still teary eyed, turned around and began to walk away from the six but stopped. “If there was one thing I could say to Pinkie Pie right now, it would be that she was truly the best friend anypony could ask for.” Nurse Redheart said not looking at them before continuing back to the registration desk knowing that Pinkie Pie could in fact hear her.

“I-I can't believe she's gone...” Rainbow Dash said in a stunned tone then her eyes lit up as if she realized something. “Listen, I’m going to go out for some fresh air. I need to clear my head.” Rainbow Dash said after a few moments walking out the doors to the hospital.

Pinkie Pie paid no mind to this at first then her expression went panicked as she recalled what she had told her.

“Sweetie Belle, you remember those stone shards that had the ability to reverse magic that normally couldn't be reversed back during the war that we hid in the ever free forest?” Pinkie Pie asked in a panicked tone.

“Yeah, why?” Sweetie Belle replied with a confused expression.

“I told Rainbow Dash about them and I think she might try to use them to revive discord to make the same deal I made!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“Wait, what?! You made a deal with Discord?!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed aloud catching everypony's attention though she hadn't noticed.

“That's why I'm here and Rainbow Dash isn't! See, I made a deal with Discord to turn back the hooves of time so I could save her life. Because I did this, her fate became my own. If she makes the same deal everything I’ve done will be for nothing! And I’m willing to bet cupcakes to bits that he won't make the same mistake with me as he did her! He'll make sure she saves my life and lives as well so he can get released for good this time!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed however Sweetie Belle didn't hear her for some reason.

“Pinkie Pie? Where are you? What's happening?!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a frantic tone.

“Sweetie Belle? Can't you hear me?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a panicked tone.

Ah,ah,ah! I don't need you ruining my plans...

Discord's voice echoed throughout the room.

“Discord! What have you done? How are you doing this?! I'm dead! Our deal should have been broken completely when I passed away! There's no way you can interfere with a super higher power like the angel of death!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in an outraged tone.

Discord then appeared next to her and cackled evilly. “Can't interfere with the natural order you say? Have we meet? I'm discord, the GOD of chaos and disharmony!” Discord exclaimed and cackled.

“Hey miss angel of death! Get your flank down here!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed looking up. Unlike the last two times the angel of death did indeed respond to her call and appeared next to her.

“You called?” The angel of death said in a quiet tone.

“What the hay is going on here?! How is discord able to interfere with your gift to me?! Our deal should have been broken when I died!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed angrily.

“Haha, you neglected to tell her a key clause in making deals with me didn't you?” Discord said to the angel of death and chuckled.

“What clause?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed outraged.

“I expected you to interfere with the fates of others Pinkie Pie, but not Rainbow Dash's.” The angel of death replied and sighed.

“What do you mean?! Wasn't that the whole reason why you let me be able to talk to Sweetie Belle? To stop rainbow Dash from making the same mistake that I did?” Pinkie Pie replied in a confused tone.

“My reason for this gift was because you nobly sacrificed yourself Pinkie. I didn't have any other greater purpose planed. However the fact that you attempted to meddle in Rainbow Dash's fate is why Discord was able to interfere.” The angel of death replied then looked at Discord. “You don't want to get on my bad side Discord.” The angel of death said narrowing her eyes at the hydrocephalus.

“I have done nothing to violate any of your laws, nothing states that I can't prevent Sweetie Belle from seeing Pinkie Pie. I have in no way under minded your gift to her, I have only rendered Sweetie Belle unable to see ghosts, hahaha!” Discord said followed by a malicious laugh.

“But isn't that the whole purpose of the gift so she can see and hear me?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a disbelieving tone.

“Of all the low things to do...you've hit a new low with me Discord! You may not have directly interfered with the gift I gave Pinkie Pie, but to going around MY RULES using a loophole that I did not see before. You want to play hard ball? I'm game Discord! But don't say I didn't warn you over fifty thousand years ago when we first met!” The angel of death exclaimed angrily and during her statement to him snow white mane erupted into a blazing bright flame which showed of the amount of fury she felt towards him.

“Forgive me if I’m not quaking in my non-existent hooves.” Discord said looking over his lion's paw at the moment with a nonchalant expression.

“Pinkie Pie...you asked me for the ability to touch Sweetie Belle earlier right? Consider that request granted and then some!” The angel of death exclaimed at which point her eyes glowed.

“Sweetie Belle? What are you saying? Are you-what in Celestia's name? P-Pinkie Pie?” Twilight said trailing off with her first sentence, gasping as Pinkie Pie suddenly poofed into existence in front of their eyes and said her final words in a stunned tone.

“What have you done?!” Discord exclaimed in an outraged tone.

“I have given Pinkie Pie a temporary physical form that only her close friends can see. She can interact with the world around her. She is no longer a ghost, rather something not even you can touch. I warned you not to trifle with me Discord.” The angel of death said then looked at Pinkie Pie who could barely believe what was happening. “Pinkie Pie, this form I have given you will only last for twenty four hours. I hereby encourage you to stop Rainbow Dash from making a deal with him.” The angel of death said then looked at Discord with a cocky smile.

“How dare you?! You have violated your own rules here!” Discord exclaimed in an outraged tone.

“Oh don't you worry. There is one perk you will receive in compensation to maintain the order. I can no longer do anything more. So you can do what you can to try and stop them, however unlikely as it might be.” The angel of death said then turned to Pinkie Pie. “The rest is up to you Pinkie Pie. I have violated sacred laws by granting you a physical form. My previous gift no longer applies to you so once twenty-four hours is up, you will be forced to go to the place you belong. I must now return to above to face my judgment.” The angel of death said and disappeared in a flash of light.

“What in tarnation is going on here?!” Applejack exclaimed unable to believe her eyes while Rarity literally fainted on the spot hitting the floor with a soft thud.

“Would you like the long or short version?” Pinkie Pie said with a grin then gasped recalling what she was even granted this form in the first place for. “Actually, we'll save that for later! Right now we have to stop Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and ran to the door and hit face first.

“Opsie...not a ghost anymore...forgot...ow-wie!” Pinkie Pie remarked in a muffled tone with her mouth against the door, pulled it off, and opened the doors before running out.

“I'll stay with Rarity, follow her!” Twilight exclaimed at which point Applejack, Fluttershy, and Sweetie Belle ran out the door following Pinkie Pie.

“What in the world just happened?! I could have swore I just saw Pinkie Pie!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed as she ran over to Rarity and examined her.

“I don't know...your guess is as good as mine.” Twilight replied honestly. The purple unicorn had no idea what was going on but she knew something big was going down.

“Ya care to give us the low-down on how the hay you just appeared in front of us for? Not that ah'm not happy to see ya again and all, heck, I’m plum happy as granny smith during zap apple harvest!” Applejack exclaimed as they followed Pinkie Pie.

“It's a super long story but the short version is that I’m only allowed to be here for twenty-four hours then I go to the big cake factory in the sky.” Pinkie Pie replied as they ran along the town path towards the Everfree forest.

“Wait, so some higher power from above brought ya back to life for twenty-four cotton pickin hours?! Why the hay would they do that?!” Applejack exclaimed in a confused tone.

“To stop rainbow Dash from repeating my mistake!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as they ran into the opening fields of the Everfree forest.

“Wh-what mistake?” Fluttershy asked as she flew above them keeping up with them as well as she can.

“I'll explain later!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she found the spot where she had hidden the shards.
“What the hay are we lookin for?” Applejack asked as Pinkie Pie and Sweetie Belle searched the area.

“Green crystal shards.” Sweetie Belle replied simply as she moved bushes around. “You didn't tell her where they were did you?” Sweetie Belle asked curiously.

“No, she doesn't know.” Pinkie Pie replied in a face speaking tone as she searched.

Oh, I wouldn't say that...

“Discord? You didn't?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she looked around while Applejack and Fluttershy exchanged confused looks.

“Oh but I did. Rainbow Dash may not be able to see or hear, but that doesn't mean I couldn't point her in the right direction. She should be arriving here in a few short hours with the shards and spell book in hoof.” Discord said appearing on the tree face grinning evilly.

“No!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed thrusting a hoof into the tree only for Discord to disappear just before she hit it.

My release is mere hours away and the first thing I’m going to do is send you to where you belong!

Discord's voice echoed followed by a sinister laugh that echoed even louder if possible and faded.

“What the hay is going on here Pinkie? If it's about discord Ah'm more inclined to believe ya now than ah was afore, if ya goin and be poppin into thin air after we all heard ya is dead and all, than nothin is out of the cotton pickin question now.” Applejack said walking up to Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie let then out a heavy sigh. “It's a long story but I’ll try and be a short as possible. Then we need to go after Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, sat on her rump, and began to tell the whole tale of the deal she made, how Rainbow Dash was supposed to have died and how her fate became Pinkie's.

TWENTY -TWO HOURS REMAINING:

Rarity's eyes fluttered open weakly as she looked about the room. She was in a hospital bed with Twilight right next to her. “What happened? The last thing I recall is seeing Pinkie Pie but I couldn't have, she's...” Rarity said trailing off.

“You saw her alright, and so did the rest of us. Though how she's back and all is beyond me. But we need to follow them.” Twilight replied at which point Rarity hopped off her bed and onto the floor.

“How will we find them? And Pinkie Pie really is back?” Rarity said with tears of joy in her eyes.

“I put a tracking spell on Sweetie Belle before they left, I can teleport us right to them, but I don't know why Pinkie is back. I'm sure she'll tell us all about it when we catch up.” Twilight said and began to focus magic into her horn.

“Stop! She can't leave! She fainted and she needs to be looked after for at least twenty-four hours so we can determine the cause!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed as she ran into the room.

“Shock from seeing Pinkie Pie, there ya have it.” Twilight replied simply and resumed focusing her magic.

“But you can't just-!” Nurse Redheart began to say only for the two to disappear in a flash of magic.

“Unicorns....” Nurse Redheart remarked with as she rolled her eyes in an annoyed manner and exhaled out of her nose making a sputtering sound exactly like a horse does. (play “snort and a rim-shot” now and imagine nurse Redheart in place of Pinkie Pie)

Pinkie Pie had just finished her explanation when Twilight and Rarity popped right next to Sweetie Belle in a flash of magic at which point Rarity's eyes swelled up in tears. “Pinkie Pie...” Rarity said as she ran over and hugged the pink mare tightly.

“Okay, so what in the name of Celestia is going on?!” Twilight exclaimed in annoyance.

“The long and short of it is this, Pinkie here made a deal with discord usin some cotton pickin shards called magical fixers or somethin like that and had him turn back the hooves of time so she could save Rainbow Dash's life, but discord bein the varmint he is messed with Pinkie Pie and only gave her riddles that she didn't figure out till the last moment. Ah'll skip over the parts we already know and just get to the point, Discord is tryin to use Rainbow Dash to make the same deal knowing she would react just like Pinkie did so he can get released and all for good. So pinkie here has only twenty four cotton pickin hours to stop him and be here before she goes and disappears.” Applejack said in a fast paced tone that would give even Pinkie Pie a run for her bits. Despite this fast paced speaking, Twilight understood every word of it.

“Then lets stop her!” Twilight exclaimed and began to focus her magic in order to teleport all of them to Discord's statue in Celestia's royal garden...

Sacrifice

SACRIFICE

TWENTY HOURS REMAINING:

Rainbow Dash flew into the Canterlot garden landing just short of Discord's statue looked up at it and sighed. “I've gotta be loco in the coco to even consider making a deal with him.” Rainbow Dash remarked and immediately went teary-eyed realizing she had just quoted her best friend's choice phrase. “I know I promised I wouldn't Pinkie, but I can't imagine life without you. Your like the sister I never had. I know you would do the same for me.” Rainbow Dash said aloud as she put the shards down at the foot of Discord's statue and opened the book.

“Here goes nothing...” Rainbow Dash said aloud and began to recite the words.

It was at this point and time Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Sweetie Belle appeared a crossed the field from Rainbow Dash. “Don't do it Dashie!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she ran over only to hit an invisible wall. “Ow-wie!” Pinkie Pie remarked in a muffled voice before she fell back onto her rump.

“What the hay is this?” Applejack remarked in confusion as she placed a hoof on the invisible wall which rippled slightly as she touched it.

Sweetie Belle was the next one to place a hoof on it, closed her eyes for a few brief moments then snapped them open looking up at Twilight. “Twilight this is the same barrier-” “That Nightmare Moon used to put us in illusions, ya I know. I could tell from the moment Pinkie Pie hit it face first.” Sweetie Belle began to say only for Twilight to finish her sentence for her.

Heh-heh,heh...so Nightmare Moon had similar magical powers as mine you say? Impressive!

Discord's voice echoed around at which point Pinkie Pie snapped her head around looking for him. “What is it Pinkie?” Twilight asked curiously as she noticed the pink mare looking around in a frantic manner.

“It's Discord...isn't it?” Sweetie Belle said taking note of her similar behavior to earlier.

“Show your face you meanie pants!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed at which point Discord appeared next to her, rested his shoulder on her head, placed his head in his hand so that it was resting on her head, and chuckled. “Isn't it glorious? You will all get front row seats to my revival.” Discord said then disappeared with a echoing laugh that only Pinkie Pie could hear. “Yo! I know you can hear me! Lend a hoof here!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed looking upward now

It was at this point a lighting bolt struck down in front of the six which shattered the barrier zapping poor Pinkie so that her mane stood on end for a few moments and sent the pink mare flying back while the other five rushed forward to stop Rainbow Dash from completing the spell.

“Rainbow! Stop!” Twilight exclaimed at which point the cyan blue Pegasus snapped her head in their direction.

“Twilight? What the hay are you guys doing here for?” Rainbow Dash asked in a confused tone as her five friends ran up to her.

“We all came here to stop ya and all. Ya can't be makin a deal with Discord, it ain't right! Not to mention you'd be insultin Pinkie Pie's sacrifice by doin this. Plus what ya is plannin on doin ain't natural.” Applejack said walking over to the cyan blue Pegasus but found herself repelled but an unseen force no sooner she got within touching distance of her friend.

“She'd do the same for me, I know she would. Don't try to stop me.” Rainbow Dash replied and began to recite more words.

“But darling, she did! That's why you are alive and she's not!” Rarity exclaimed which once again made the cyan blue Pegasus snap her head in the direction of her friends.

“What the hay are you talking about Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked in a confused tone then continued to recite the spell's words.

It was at this point Twilight attempted to levitate the shards but her magic was rejected so sooner it reached them. she then tried to move the spell book and Rainbow Dash but her magic was rejected when she tried to move either of the two as well.. “Why can't I move the shards, Rainbow Dash, or the spell book?” Twilight asked in a whisper.

“Ah reckon it's discord who's protectin em.” Applejack whispered back.

“Rainbow please listen to us! Discord planned this all along! He wants you to revive him!” Twilight exclaimed in a panicked tone as she tried to reach out to move Rainbow Dash but was repelled by the same unseen force that the farm pony was.

“Rainbow, please listen to us. We only want to help you.” Fluttershy chimed in.

Much to everypony's horror however Rainbow Dash completed the spell at which point thunderclouds began to form above all six of them.

“Rainbow, Listen! Pinkie Pie is here right now! She told us all of this! Destroy the shards while you have the chance!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a desperate tone looking above herself as more thunderclouds gathered.

It was at this point that Pinkie Pie sat up, coughed twice exhaling smoke as she did so then looked up to the sky and smiled. “Thanks...” Pinkie said in a horse voice, got to all four hooves and ran to join the others.

“Don't lie to me Sweetie Belle! Pinkie Pie is dead! You know it and I know it! I'm going to make sure we both survive this time and I don't care what it takes!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed not looking at the others now.

Don't do it Dashie!

Pinkie Pie's voice rang out from a short distance away causing the cyan blue Pegasus to snap her head in the direction she heard the voice and couldn't believe her eyes. “P-Pinkie Pie? You're alive?” Rainbow Dash said her voice cracking as she spoke while she watched the pink mare run up to her and hug her tightly seemingly able to phase right through the barrier Discord had erected.

“Don't do it Dashie! I'm not worth it!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed her eyes flooding with tears right now.

“Pinkie Pie...what's going on? You're dead. I heard Nurse Redheart tell us this.” Rainbow Dash said in a confused tone clearly unable to make sense of this.

“I...I am dead, but I did this for you!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as the storm clouds began to roar with thunder preparing to strike the shards in front of them.

“But if you dead, how can I see you?” Rainbow Dash asked still trying to make sense of what exactly what was going on right now.

“It's one of those higher power deals, but they let me have this body for twenty-four hours so I could stop you from making my mistake. I was a foal for making with Discord, but I don't regret it. You have so much more than I do! You have a soon to be wife, a daughter, and more than I could possibly hope to have!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed tears streaming from her eyes now.

“How can you say that Pinkie? Your the sister I never had! I can't lose you. I will do anything to save your life Pinkie. Your worth it.” Rainbow Dash replied hugging Pinkie Pie tightly now tears streaming from her eyes.

“R-Rainbow...please. If you do this, then Discord will be free for good and not even the elements of harmony can stop him then. He will make ponies in Equestria miserable! You don't want that do you?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed her voice cracking as she spoke tears still streaming from her eyes.

“I don't care! I love you Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, and locked lips with the pink mare much to everypony's shock including Applejack's who could feel her heart being tore in two at the moment but she kept quiet.

“Now ah understand...” Applejack remarked in a aloud and smiled despite the heartache she was feeling at the moment, something inside her knew this all along. Rainbow Dash loved Pinkie Pie was afraid to admit it.

Rainbow Dash abruptly stopped kissing pinkie Pie and gave a horrified glance over at Applejack. “Applejack, I...” Rainbow Dash said trailing off looking at the farm pony who walked in front of everypony now.

“It's okay Rainbow, course for some cotton pickin reason ah ain't mad. Ah guess it's cuz ah always knew. Don't ya worry bout it, nothin's changed between us. Ah love ya and ah always will, but ah am sidein with Pinkie on this, ya can't go through with this. Fifty billion ponies in Equestria just for one ain't fair to the rest of them. Are ya really willin to sacrifce fifty billion ponies for just one? How the hay does that be representin loyalty to Equestria if you do this?” Applejack said in a calm voice.

During all this Pinkie Pie's mind was still reeling from this chain of events and had not as of yet recovered. “She loves me? And she kissed me in front of Applejack?! Is she loco in coco?!” Pinkie Pie thought to herself then slapped the cyan blue Pegasus. “You dummy! How many more times do I have to say it?! I'm not worth it!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed angrily.

“But, Pinkie...” Rainbow Dash said trailing off still stunned from the sudden slap from the pink mare.

“Read. My. Lips! I'm not worth it! Are you the element of loyalty or not?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed still sounding very pissed off.

“Yes, but-” “No buts! Are you or are you not the element of loyalty?!” Rainbow Dash began to say only for Pinkie Pie to cut her off abruptly.

“Yes! I am the element of loyalty! Happy now?!” Rainbow Dash screamed clearly sounding pissed off now herself.

“Then prove it!!!” Pinkie Pie screamed back even louder if possible causing the cyan blue Pegasus to stare blankly at her now as the rumbling became even louder now.

Rainbow Dash then looked at Pinkie Pie, to the shards, back to Pinkie Pie, back to the shards, then once more to Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie...” Rainbow Dash said in a quiet tone until she slammed them abruptly shut them giving a high pitched cry as she shoved pinkie pie to the side, rose up on her hind hooves, and used her full weight to come down on the shards.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

SHATTER!

The cyan blue Pegasus's hooves came down on the shards with a mighty thud and a shattering sound destroying them which caused the storm clouds to suddenly disappear and Discord's voice to ring out and fade quickly.

Rainbow Dash then fell to the ground and began to sob loudly as Applejack ran over to her and held her tightly. It was at this point it finally seemed to settle in to the pink mare.

She was dead and her only means of being brought back to life were gone forever.

She didn't quite think of it like this before and the very thought was depressing to Pinkie Pie, however she knew it was the right thing to do.

“Pinkie...” Twilight said in a quiet tone as she noticed the pink mare staring at the fragments of the crystal shards. Twilight had a good idea of what was going through her mind and even apart of her wanted Rainbow Dash to go through with this and she'd bet her bits that the other four felt the same.

“Heh, so this is how it feels to do the right thing when you know what it will cost ya. Funny feeling, I’m sad but I can't help but feel super duper happy at the same time.” Pinkie Pie remarked in a thoughtful tone as Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder.

“I'd be lying my flank off if I didn't say that part of me wanted her to go through with it.” Twilight said in a soft tone looking at Pinkie Pie with a sad yet soft smile.

“I know.” Pinkie Pie replied with a smile. Knowing the fact that her friends would be willing to give anything, this feeling she felt. She wanted to hold onto it for forever.

“How long till you have to go?” Twilight asked in a soft tone.

“I got about twenty hours I think.” Pinkie Pie replied and sighed.

“Then how about we spend those hours parting Pinkie Pie style?” Twilight suggested with a wide smile.

“That sounds like a super idea!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a wide smile.

EIGHTEEN HOURS REMAINING:

“Come on everypony! Shake those grove things!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed into a microphone as Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Twilight danced.

“Hey!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as Twilight suddenly chucked cake at her. The pink mare then picked up some of her hour and chucked up back at the purple unicorn, missed, and hit Rainbow Dash instead. It was soon a full fledged food fight among the seven as they laughed and dodged each other throwing cake, pies, and just about anything they could get a hold of at one another that was food. The

TWO HOURS REMAINING:

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash sat as the sun began to set sitting quietly next to each other with their tails curled around each others having sneaked away from the party “Pinkie...I'm sorry for what I did earlier. It was selfish of me.” Rainbow Dash said after a few moments.

“Don't you worry about it Dashie. I was a blind blindy pants for not seeing how much you cared about me. It's not a surprise that you went to Applejack when I didn't pick up on the signals.” Pinkie Pie replied with a soft giggle.

“Not only the kiss, but the way I was acting. I was willing to sacrifice all of Equestria's happiness for my own. At least you had thought ahead of time and made sure you put in a clever clause to your deal to prevent him from getting out. I was just going to make the deal and that was it. I didn't think ahead of time of what the consequences of my actions would be. Me being the act first think later kind of mare I am, I didn't think at all how it would affect everypony.” Rainbow Dash replied and nuzzled the pink mare.

“Don't beat yourself up Dashie. I would have made the same dumb dummy pants mistake if fate hadn't played a hoof in all of this. Besides, you have Applejack. And even though you care about me, she can take care of you a super whole lot better than I could.” Pinkie Pie replied with a smile nuzzling the cyan blue Pegasus back.

It was at this point unknown to the two that a certain farm pony had walked up and was sitting not far away from them by an apple tree. “It might be tearnin me up seein my mare with another, but ah owe it to Pinkie for savin her life, so ah'll let her have this.” Applejack remarked in a soft tone, watched them for a few moments longer, stood up, and walked away.

“You don't have much longer now do you?” Rainbow Dash asked in a sad tone.

“Nopey-dopey! But that's fine with me. I got to spend time with all my friends before I had to go and that's the best gift I could have ever asked for.” Pinkie Pie replied.

“Can I have one last kiss? For the road and all?” Rainbow Dash asked softly and much to her delight Pinkie Pie locked lips with the cyan blue Pegasus as the sun set kissing her passionately.

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes returning the kiss with equal passion as the sun continued to set unaware that the pink mare had begun to fade in time with the sunset and snapped her eyes open once the sun had fully set realizing she could no longer feel pinkie's lips on hers. “Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow Dash said in a soft tone as tears filled her eyes and began to cry silently to herself.

Pinkie Pie stood there watching her cry feeling her own eyes fill with tears but smiled just the same knowing that Rainbow Dash could no longer see her.

I love you Dashie. Thanks you...for everything.

Pinkie Pie's words apparently reached the cyan blue Pegasus as her eyes snapped open and looked around for a few moments. “I love you too Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash said softly, stood up, wiped her eyes, sniffed, and turned around to see Applejack standing there looking just as teary-eyed as she was but not for the reasons the Pegasus thought.

“Ah reckon we'll all miss her. And like I said afore, nothin's changed between us. Your still my mare and ya always will beh.” Applejack said as she walked up to Rainbow Dash and kissed her passionately to which Rainbow Dash returned the kiss.

Pinkie Pie watched the two kiss smiling. “You take care of her A-J. She's your mare after all.” Pinkie Pie said with a smile as a light flashed next to her and she saw the angel of death appear next to her.

“Are you ready Pinkie Pie?” The angel of death asked with a soft smile.

“Yes, but I thought you were going to be punished for being a bad baddy pony for breaking the rules?” Pinkie Pie asked with a slightly confused expression to which the angel of death smiled.

“They wavered my punishment because you stopped Discord from returning. I owe my eternal gratitude to you Pinkie Pie. It seems my plan went as I had hoped.” The angel of death replied with a smirk.

“Wait, you actually meant for this to happen?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed incredulously to which the angel of death actually laughed.

“Yes, I’m sorry I lied to you Pinkie Pie, but I had hoped you would indeed interfere with Rainbow Dash's fate.” The angel of death replied with a mischievous smirk.

“But don't those guys up there know this?” Pinkie Pie replied in a confused tone.

“We have a motto up there Pinkie, the ends justify the means. So in other words they can point hoofs at me all they want but they can't deny that I in fact did help you spare billions of pony's lives today.” The angel of death said and leaned over so her head was right next to the pink mare's “That's one of my more ingenious loopholes I put in when I took my position as the angel of death.” The angel of death added with a whisper and a wink.

“What were you before you took the job?” Pinkie Pie asked curiously.

“Some pony you all know very well.” The angel of death said with a wink.

“So even you have fun with your job?” Pinkie Pie replied with a smirk.

“Oh yes, and in this case the fun was doubled!” The angel of death exclaimed with a wide grin.

“Waaaait...are you-” “We had best be going Pinkie Pie, we need to travel a a bit for your second gift.” The angel of death replied cutting off the pink mare as her eyes glowed and the world around them whirled for a few moments until they appeared in a room full of foals.

“I thought I was going to the great cake factory in the sky?” Pinkie Pie remarked in a confused tone.

“The higher ups think that you deserve a second chance. So you'll be reincarnated into one of these foals but you won't remember anything from your previous life. But you'll have another chance to be with your friends.” The angel of death replied with a smile.

“Wait...how can you know this?” Pinkie Pie asked in a confused tone.

“The funny thing about reincarnation Pinkie Pie. It always works out.” The angel of death replied as her eyes glowed brightly and Pinkie Pie began to glow brightly and in a few moments with a flash of light she disappeared.

FOUR MONTHS LATER:

Rainbow Dash and Applejack walked into the Ponyville adoption agency and looked around. At all the foals. “Heh, Scootaloo is going to be happy to get a young brother or sister.” Rainbow Dash remarked with a wide smile.

“Heh, ah reckon she'll beh more than happy.” Applejack replied with a giggle.

“Welcome to the Ponyville adoption agency! My name is nurse Happyhoof! How can we help you fine mares today?” Nurse Happyhoof asked with a wide smile.

“Well, me and mah wife are lookin to adopt a foal. Ah reckon y'all can help us thar.” Applejack replied and nuzzled the cyan blue Pegasus.

“Of course! This way.” Nurse Happyhoof replied, opened the doors and walked into the nursery followed by Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“You pick Rainbow.” Applejack said simply.

“No way, this is our foal. We both agree on one.” Rainbow Dash replied as they looked over the foals.

“Easier said than done honeh, all these little darlins are so precious.” Applejack replied then gasped as her eyes fell upon a small pink filly foal with a puffy pink mane who was bawling her eyes out. “Who's this little one?” Applejack asked as she walked over to the pink filly.

“Oh that little one. She's a real chatter box. Very energetic and quite hyper despite her still being a baby foal and all.” Nurse Happyhoof replied with a smile.

“Rainbow, this little one, don't she remind ya of somepony?” Applejack asked aloud which caused the cyan blue Pegasus to turn and look.

“Yeah, she looks a lot like her.” Rainbow Dash replied to which the two looked at one another and nodded.

“We'll take this one.” Applejack said pointing to the pink foal.

“Oh how wonderful! Is there any name you wish to give her?” Nurse Happyhoof's replied as she lifted the pink foal out of the crib and placed her into a pushable carriage.

“Yeah...” Rainbow Dash replied with a teary-eyed smile.

We'll name her....

Pinkie Pie.